How Mike Maignan Indirectly Helped Andre Onana Become Inter Milan’s First-Choice Goalkeeper

When Andre Onana first arrived at Inter Milan, he was not immediately chosen as the starting goalkeeper. He had to compete with club veteran Samir Handanovic, who was still favored by coach Simone Inzaghi.

At the same time, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan was dominating Serie A, having just led his team to a Scudetto win and earning recognition as the best goalkeeper in Italy. This situation left Onana struggling for playing time, but everything changed after the September 2023 Derby della Madonnina.

Read More: https://www.esnnews.com/post/pep-guardiola-updates-rodri-injury-return During that match, Onana remained on the bench as Inter suffered a 2-3 defeat to Milan, with Maignan delivering a standout performance.

Meanwhile, Handanovic’s display left much to be desired, leading Inter players to push for a change in goal. Onana later admitted that Maignan indirectly helped him become a starter, as his teammates urged Inzaghi to give him a chance.

Shortly after, Onana made his Champions League debut against Bayern Munich and continued with strong performances against Barcelona, solidifying his position as the team's number one.   

Read More: https://www.esnnews.com/post/newcastle-appeals-gordon-red-card-carabao-cup-final Onana’s rise at Inter Milan saw him play a key role in both Serie A and the Champions League.

He remained unbeaten in 10 out of 13 European matches, only losing to Bayern Munich in the group stage and Manchester City in the final. His consistent performances earned him 14 consecutive league starts between October and February.

Onana also helped Inter win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana before making a high-profile move to Manchester United, marking the next chapter of his career.